Energy Minister Ben Wyatt travelled to Carnarvon last week to inspect Horizon Power’s first multi-function utility-grade energy storage system, which is being trialled at Mungullah Power Station.
The batteries, which are capable of delivering up to two megawatts of power for one hour, arrived in Carnarvon earlier this year and after undergoing months of extensive testing and commissioning are now in active service, as part of a 12-month trial, and will be used to supply energy to Carnarvon.
During the 12-month trial, the batteries will primarily be tested and used to optimise spinning reserve back-up and to store energy when renewable output is at its highest.
It is expected that the trial will result in hundreds of thousands of dollars of savings in fuel and maintenance costs because the use of gas, diesel and generators to provide spinning reserve can be significantly reduced.
The outcomes of the trial will help Horizon Power determine how to optimise the utilisation of battery technology to further its microgrid capabilities.